Selecting Plants for Your Region

Listening to our customer's successes and using the recommendations of the leading 'Experiment Stations' we have noted some varieties that are good choices in your region. Use the USDA winter hardiness map to see which zone you are in. The varieties recommended on this page are a partial list for you to try. Look at the hardiness zones listed with each cultivar throughout the online catalog for more ideas! Check with your County Agricultural Extension Service for the additional recommendations for your area.

East Coast Maritime Climate

USDA Zones 6 & 7: Raintree specializes in fruit varieties for maritime climates. The Raintree catalog has hundreds of varieties that will thrive in your climate. Those of you who live near the coast from southern Maine to the Maryland eastern shore have a maritime influence that usually prevents the coldest winter temperatures and enables you to grow most of the plants in the Raintree catalog. In the West, our maritime influence extends at least one hundred miles inland. In the east the extent of the maritime influence may go only a few miles inland, but alot of gardeners live in the coastal areas. The ocean influence still provides a longer frost free growing season but a summer with less heat units. Many of the Raintree fruit varieties are suited to your conditions. Select disease resistant cultivars when possible. In the Northeast, even along the coast the weather can get very cold so be sure to check the map to see which zone you are in.

Greater Great Lakes and Interior Northeast USDA Zone 5 and adjoining zones: Most Raintree varieties will grow in your area. Many have proven to be of good quality when grown at one or more of the experiment stations in the region including New York Fruit Testing Service in Geneva, New York and Harrow Station, Ontario Canada. Michigan, Illinois and the other state Agricultural Extension Services have great lists of cultivars proven in each state. Following are a few good choices. Your local Extension service can recommend more.

Coldest Parts of the North and Upper Midwest

USDA ZONES 3 & 4.Note throughout the catalog those fruits that do well where winter temperatures drop to -30° F., and lower. These are just a few of many catalog items that will do well for you. Please consult your Agricultural Extension Service for more recommendations.

Plants for the South

We carry many varieties that are proven to grow in the South.
We list many other plants that have low chill requirements and are tolerant of high summer temperatures.

Middle South

USDA Zones 6 and 7: If you live in most of the lower midwest, the upper south and mid Atlantic seaboard, you can grow a wide variety of fruit. You have enough chilling hours to grow fruit but don't have the severe winter cold that limits much of the country. If you don't live near either coast you usually get hot summers which helps to ripen fruit. Spring frosts and disease problems can limit what you can grow so consult your local county Extension Service. You can grow most of the plants listed in the catalog except consult the map for those that will freeze out in cold winters. Following are some recommendations from the book "Growing Fruits and Nuts In the South".